Chapter One #2
“Are you pissed?” Cash asks. My smile dims, and I glare at him and his brother Kade as they step out of the shadows.
“Don’t be pissed. Heath was worried. You’ve been acting weird.
” He smiles and tilts his head. He often talks for his brother.
Kade is quiet and stares at you in a way that makes you shiver in all the best ways. “We didn’t want anyone to hurt you.”
I cross my arms.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I say.
Cash is no less handsome with his blonde hair and charming smile.
His eyes sparkle and make a girl wonder what mischief he’s been up to.
His brother has black hair and strong arms, capable of picking up a girl and protecting her from the world.
We’ve been spending time together, usually we go out for a drink.
I would be lucky to have them as mates because they are genuinely nice guys, but it’s not meant to be.
For one, I could never be with more than one guy at once; for another, they aren’t my mates. I would know by their scent.
“Is he dead?” Kade asks.
“Almost.” I drop my arms and glance behind me. “Heath will make sure he is.”
“Good,” he rumbles, and I look at him. “He deserved it.”
“How do you know?” Heath and Haven, my best friends, are the only people who know my story.
“If you brought him here, you had a good reason,” he says.
“Are you going home?” Cash asks.
“Yeah, I need food, a bath, and sleep.” My skin feels dirty even though I washed off the blood.
“Do you want us to follow?” Kade asks.
“I’m good,” I sigh, and walk forward. “We’re good.” I pass them, turn around, and walk backward. “No more stalking.”
“No promises,” Cash sings.
“I mean it.” I glare and turn my back. I stop by my car and glance at them. Kade nods, and Cash waves. I smile in return and open the door, sliding into my seat. Starting the car, I breathe deeply and drive away.
Their intentions were good, and I can be honest, I’m glad they called Heath.
I’m ready to be done with that chapter of my life.
Haven met her four mates, she is happy as shit.
I expect her to announce a pregnancy any day, as much as they are locked in their house.
Sally, a friend and rabbit shifter, is pregnant.
She’s still as bold and funny as ever. I stayed with her briefly before she met her vampire mates, Atlas and Luca.
I’m thrilled she's happy. She is always up for a night out and enjoys the chaos of the family they built here.
Shifters of all kinds, and several vampires, live here.
We have banded together and protect each other.
I haven’t been a member for long, but they have accepted me as one of their own.
I haven’t spent much time with all of them, but I feel included in a way I never thought I would be.
When Heath met Juliana, he introduced me to some of them, Sally included.
He’s a private guy, so he kept me a secret for years before opening up his life.
I understood his need for privacy and didn’t take offense.
The family is large, loud, and a bit wild.
Anyone would be slightly hesitant to enter into the fray.
Yet they are the most accepting group, and sometimes I’m still fascinated by their interactions.
I am a fox shifter, and sometimes we are compared to coyotes.
I’ve been looked down on in the past. Our reputation is that we are secretive and as scavengers.
We often are excellent at playing tricks and stealing the wallet out of your pocket while you are talking to us.
My animal is small, yet bigger than the actual animal in the wild.
I have dark red hair, as my animal does.
We have enhanced senses as all shifters, and are stronger than any human.
My power is little. I have heard that most foxes have extravagant gifts, such as shapeshifting to change their appearance.
My parents didn’t teach me about my species, so I think that, and the trauma I have suffered, have caused my powers to be stunted.
As I drive into the city limits, I smile and realize what this place means to me.
I’ve never really had a home or a family, at least not the kind you can count on.
My parents aren’t the kind of people who show love or support.
It’s been years since I’ve seen or spoken to them, and I don’t want to.
They abandoned me years ago, along with brothers who never wanted a sister.
I found something unusual here, and I need to start being more grateful for it.
As I park in front of my apartment building, I text Heath, and a feeling of safety comes over me.
Having a home is special. Heath helped me find the place, even though he denies speaking to the manager.
I was thrilled the day I could pay for it myself with the winnings from one fight.
Some say I shouldn’t step in the ring, and many of the humans I meet don’t think a woman should be proud of making a living that way.
I say, fuck off. Using my fists is a way to take back my power.
I lock my car and walk to the front doors.
Waving at Sam sitting at the front desk, I move to the elevator.
My tension starts to ease as I step inside, and I lean against the wall.
I live on the fifth floor, and to the right.
I have to enter a code to unlock my front door, and another to set the alarm, and a pad that reads my fingerprints.
Heath knew I needed to feel safe in my home, so he set me up with the most expensive system.
As I come to my floor, it’s just a few steps to my sanctuary.
Once I’m inside and the security is engaged, I relax.
For a moment, I lean against the wall and enjoy the silence.
I love being around the family, but I feel comfortable being alone.
I revel in the noise of the crowd as I prepare to beat the shit out of my opponent.
Going to the club with the family to celebrate is fun, and I can go late into the night.
Yet, coming home, spending time in the open space, and reading a good book is my idea of the best time.
For years, I wished for a family and meaningful relationships.
I found Bobbie, and my life changed in horrible ways.
I’ve been assaulted, displayed, ridiculed, abused, and shot.
I’ve hated myself and my body because I thought I must have done something to encourage them.
Being a fox has meant little to me since being a shifter didn’t help me in the past. There have been days when the voice in my head has been worse than the ones in the world.
I wasn’t very nice to myself. I allowed outside influences, the cruelty of a group of men, and the abandonment of my family to dictate how I felt about myself.
Every day, I choose to change that mindset, and I’ve done a fantastic job of it.
I still have rough days, and the memories remain vivid in my head, but I strive to be comfortable in my skin and grateful for the blessing I now have.
I stand straight and strip on the way to the bathroom. The bath will have to wait. Standing in the shower, I can wash away the memories of Bobbie down the drain. I start the water and set it to scalding, then move to the sink.
“I did it,” I whisper, staring at my reflection. “I faced the past, and I’m still here. I refused to allow him to control my life. I deserve some fucking happiness.”
I laugh. There is blood in my hair. Leaning forward for a closer look, I suck in a breath as the cold counter hits my skin and glare at the red splatters that blend in with my hairline.
I wish I could kill him again. I love my hair.
My laughter continues, and I’m not surprised by the tears rolling down my cheeks.
It’s over. Truly.
Finally.
I’ve been hiding all my emotions behind a smile. No more. This is me. A crying, laughing, bloody mess.
It’s time to embrace every side of myself that has made me who I am.
Fuck anyone who doesn’t like it.